City council in brumby crackdown

LANDOWNERS are being urged to take action against wild and escaped horses after a recent spike of brumby sightings along the Bruce Highway.

Townsville City Council is expected to renew the emergency declaration of feral horses being pests at its general meeting today.

Horses have been spotted both on or near the Bruce Highway to the north and south of Townsville in recent weeks.

Mayor Jenny Hill said the declaration was directed towards all landowners including private property, state land and the council.

“Council has fast- tracked reissuing this pest declaration in response to the unaccept- able safety risk these animals pose to the public,” she said.

“Council does not have power to go on to private property, however, the pest declaration gives the council authority to direct the state and other landowners to take action to control feral horses.”

There have been numerous comments from concerned residents on social media in recent weeks, with many warning motorists of where they have seen the animals.

A 43- year- old man was killed in July, 2015, after his motorbike struck one of three brumbies that ran on to the highway near Bluewater.

A 15- year- old was killed just two months later after the car that he was travelling in hit a brumby carcass.

More than 210 horses have been removed from the Bluewater area since late 2015.

Cr Hill said council officers would be talking to landowners along the highway, especially around the Bluewater to Rollingstone area, about the local law change.

“Every landholder including the state and council has a role to play to control numbers and stop horses getting on our roads,” she said.

“This will be done in a cooperative approach in the same way the council works with landowners in the control of wild dogs.

“Council also recognises the importance of looking after our own backyard. Our officers will use all available measures on land under council control wherever wild or escaped horses are reported.”